My Bully, My Neighbour

Chapter 3 (Edited)

I ran back to the safety of my room and lay on my bed. I brought out my easel and looked at my latest sketch. It was the outline of an faerie's torso, with the wings folded back. It was a portrait, showing her right profile. The real space that needed my attention was the dress. I had drawn a sweetheart neckline with a fitting bodice. The skirt of the gown curved along her body till her hips. From thereon, it naturally fell in a straight line to form a regal furl at the base. The lady had no arms, I couldn't decide on the sleeves. As I a full picture came to mind, I picked up my pencil and began to sketch. I left her shoulders exposed, drawing choir boy sleeves for the gown. Once I was satisfied, I began to colour it in.

About an hour into my colouring, Clare came to my room. "Madam, Mr.Rivera and his son are getting ready to leave. Your father wants you to come to see them off." She said. "Okay, just let me wash my hands." I said. I washed off all the blue stains on my hands and went downstairs with Clare. Papa stood with Mr.Rivera and Leo in the doorway. "It's been great meeting you, Leonardo. You should come to visit more often." Papa said. "You too, sir." Leo replied and his eyes flicked to me. "I would also like to talk to Aria the next time I visit." He said looking at me. "Ah, I wish that could happen. But my daughter is leaving for New York tonight. I don't know when she'll come back to visit me." Papa said as he put an arm around my shoulders. "Papa, you know that I'm going to keep in touch." I said.

"The princess is leaving for New York tonight! So is Leonardo!" Mr.Rivera exclaimed. "Really?" I asked, dread filling my chest. "Yeah, I am. What time is your flight?" Leo asked me. "American airlines, three in the morning." I replied. "Hey, that's cool. I'm on the same flight." Leo smiles. "Awesome." I said. "It might not be as bad as you think it will be." Leo assured me. "I know." I tried for a convincing smile, but Leo obviously saw through it. "So you both can talk in the airport. Get to know each other and become friends." My oblivious papa said. "We'll have fun." Leo said and I felt like strangling him.

"Sure. It'll be fun." I said. Mr.Rivera shook hands with papa and me. Leo stepped forward to shake papa's hand, but papa pulled him in for a hug. "You have fun and take care of my daughter in New York, alright?" Papa said to Leo as he broke the hug. "Papa, you shouldn't ask him that. You're under no obligation Leo." I said, outraged. "Maybe I want to help you." Leo said. He held out his hand and I shook it, feeling a little disappointed that he didn't want to hug me. Papa and I waited till their car was out of sight. Then I went up to my room and decided to finish the last bits of my packing.

My bag was already filled with my clothes that Clare had wrapped in a protective bag. I packed all my accessories into a small pouch. Seeing that I had loads of earrings and necklaces, I had paired all of them, put them in small plastic packets and then put all the tiny packets into the pouch. My shoes had been put into shoe bags and then packed in neat rows into my suitcase. I left my painting on the easel, hoping that papa would be able to send it to me once I had settled down. On an instinct, I packed a family picture of me, papa and mother. I also put in a picture of me and my cousin Kate. She was practically my best friend.

Once I was happy with my packing, Clare helped me take the bags downstairs and keep them near the door. Despite the fact that I would be seeing Leo again, I was excited that I was moving to one of the largest cities in the world.